Molecular Concept The Concept of a Hydrogen Fuel Cell* Engine:
At the “gas” station, hydrogen is pumped from hydrogen tanks and through tubes into a hydrogen car. On a molecular level, anodes are negatively charged, and cathodes are positively charged. Hydrogen is positively charged, hence, it is attracted to the anodes*, and oxygen is negatively charged, so it is attracted to the cathodes*. The hydrogen is also attracted to the oxygen, (hydrogen that is not used is stored for later usage) so the hydrogen molecules migrate towards the oxygen molecules. When hydrogen and oxygen bond, they create water (H20). The chemical potential energy that both the hydrogen and oxygen possessed before they bonded to create water was transferred to the electrolyte*, and created electricity that was used to rotate a motor and spin the wheels. [1] Pros and Cons: Pros:
Little to no fossil fuels needed
No emissions
Hydrogen is not a limited resource
More milage between going to pumps
Cons:
There are less hydrogen fuel pumps
Fossil Fuels are required to create hydrogen cells, but natural gas is a fossil fuel that can be used and produces no emmission
Fuel cell cars remain more expensive than hybrid and plug-in cars
Hydrogen is an energy carrier, not an energy source [6]
The Steps to a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car Engine:
Generate hydrogen using fossil fuels
Hydrogen and oxygen injected into tank
Hydrogen attracted to anodes*, oxygen attracted to cathodes*
Hydrogen attracted to oxygen
Hydrogen + Oxygen = water (H2O)
Energy from chemical reaction is turned into electrical energy by the electrolyte*
Electrical energy spins motor
Motor spins wheels on car
[1] Conservation of Energy:
In step #1, the fossil fuels have chemical potential energy, and they create hydrogen with a chemical reaction.
Both the hydrogen and oxygen have chemical potential before they enter the tank in step #2.
Once the oxygen and hydrogen are bonded, the chemical potential they had before the bond is converted into electrical energy by the electrolyte*.
In step #7, the electrical energy from the electrolyte is transformed into kinetic energy in the motor, and in step #8, the kinetic energy from the motor is transferred into the wheels of the car, which propels the car forward.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjWCXD4P3XQ&feature=player_embedded "Boeing Develops 'Phantom Eye' Hydrogen-Powered UAV" www.fuelcelltoday.com/online/news/articles/2010-03/Boeing-Develops-HALE-Hydrogen-Po This article describes the current progress in hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cell planes are being made, and Boeing has just come up with a new design, that will help the hydrogen liquid fuel last for long distances. The Phantom Eye has a 150-foot wingspan, and can fly at altitudes up to 65,000 feet for more than four days. The Phantom Eye is designed to perform missions that could include intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance and communication. According to Darryl Davis, president of Boeing Phantom Works, the hydrogen fuel powered plane will be ready to fly early next year. [5] Glossary Anode: The negative terminal of a voltaic cell* or battery. [4] Cathode: The positive terminal of a voltaic cell or battery. [4] Hydrogen Fuel Cell: A device that creates electrical energy from the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. An electrochemical* energy conversion device. [4] Chemical Reaction: A process in which atoms of the same or different elements rearrange themselves to form a new substance. [4] Oxygen: A colorless, odorless, gaseous element constituting 21% of the Earth's environment. Oxygen combines with most elements, is required for combustion, and is essential for life in most organisms. When oxygen and hydrogen are mixed, water is created. [4] Molecule: The smallest physical unit of an element or compound, consisting of one or more similar atoms in an element and two or more different atoms in a compound. [4] Electrolyte: A conductor of electricity formed by a substance that is broken into ions. [4] Voltaic Cell: A cell that produces electricity through chemical actions. [4] Electrochemical: The electricity produced by a chemical reaction. [4]
Jeremiah Blacklow and Mike Stellati
April 8, 2010
[2][3]
Molecular Concept
The Concept of a Hydrogen Fuel Cell* Engine:
At the “gas” station, hydrogen is pumped from hydrogen tanks and through tubes into a hydrogen car. On a molecular level, anodes are negatively charged, and cathodes are positively charged. Hydrogen is positively charged, hence, it is attracted to the anodes*, and oxygen is negatively charged, so it is attracted to the cathodes*. The hydrogen is also attracted to the oxygen, (hydrogen that is not used is stored for later usage) so the hydrogen molecules migrate towards the oxygen molecules. When hydrogen and oxygen bond, they create water (H20). The chemical potential energy that both the hydrogen and oxygen possessed before they bonded to create water was transferred to the electrolyte*, and created electricity that was used to rotate a motor and spin the wheels. [1]
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
Cons:
The Steps to a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car Engine:
- Generate hydrogen using fossil fuels
- Hydrogen and oxygen injected into tank
- Hydrogen attracted to anodes*, oxygen attracted to cathodes*
- Hydrogen attracted to oxygen
- Hydrogen + Oxygen = water (H2O)
- Energy from chemical reaction is turned into electrical energy by the electrolyte*
- Electrical energy spins motor
- Motor spins wheels on car
[1]Conservation of Energy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLACf9GObVo&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjWCXD4P3XQ&feature=player_embedded
"Boeing Develops 'Phantom Eye' Hydrogen-Powered UAV"
www.fuelcelltoday.com/online/news/articles/2010-03/Boeing-Develops-HALE-Hydrogen-Po
This article describes the current progress in hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cell planes are being made, and Boeing has just come up with a new design, that will help the hydrogen liquid fuel last for long distances. The Phantom Eye has a 150-foot wingspan, and can fly at altitudes up to 65,000 feet for more than four days. The Phantom Eye is designed to perform missions that could include intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance and communication. According to Darryl Davis, president of Boeing Phantom Works, the hydrogen fuel powered plane will be ready to fly early next year. [5]
Glossary
Anode: The negative terminal of a voltaic cell* or battery. [4]
Cathode: The positive terminal of a voltaic cell or battery. [4]
Hydrogen Fuel Cell: A device that creates electrical energy from the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. An electrochemical* energy conversion device. [4]
Chemical Reaction: A process in which atoms of the same or different elements rearrange themselves to form a new substance. [4]
Oxygen: A colorless, odorless, gaseous element constituting 21% of the Earth's environment. Oxygen combines with most elements, is required for combustion, and is essential for life in most organisms. When oxygen and hydrogen are mixed, water is created. [4]
Molecule: The smallest physical unit of an element or compound, consisting of one or more similar atoms in an element and two or more different atoms in a compound. [4]
Electrolyte: A conductor of electricity formed by a substance that is broken into ions. [4]
Voltaic Cell: A cell that produces electricity through chemical actions. [4]
Electrochemical: The electricity produced by a chemical reaction. [4]
Bibliography
[1] Individual Fuel Cell. 2009. AER Auto Repair. 7 Apr. 2010.
<http://www.thesupertroopers.com/AER/about/fuelcell.jpg>
[2] Edlin, Mike. Hydrogen Fuel Cell. Scienceprep.org. 8 Apr. 2010.
<http://www.hydrogen-fuel.org/SecHydrogen2.jpg>
[3] Hydrogen Electric Cars and Hydrogen Fueled Vehicles. 2007. Hydrogen-
Fuel.org. 8 Apr. 2010.
<http://www.hydrogen-fuel.org/HydrogenFuelPump_550x445.jpg>
[4] Dictionary. 2010. Dictionary.com. 9 Apr. 2010.
<http://dictionary.reference.com>
[5] Boeing Develops 'Phantom Eye' Hydrogen Powered UAV. 9 Mar. 2010. Fuel
Cell Today. 10 Apr. 2010
<http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/online/news/articles/2010-03/Boeing-Develops-HALE-Hydrogen-Po>
[6] Kallen, Stuart A. Hydrogen Power. San Diego, CA: Reference Point Press, 2010.